Lewis Hamilton apologised to Max Verstappen after calling him a ‘d***head’

Lewis Hamilton is mounting a fightback in the Formula 1 Driver Standings this year as he looks for back to back race wins in Hungary this weekend. After a worrying start to the season, Mercedes have responded well to Max Verstappen’s early momentum as the race for the Drivers’ and Constructors’ championships heats up. Hamilton secured pole position for the Hungarian Grand Prix and his teammate Valtteri Bottas was close behind in second.

However, the Briton was booed at the Hungaroring yesterday after his controversial clash with Verstappen at Silverstone two weeks ago.

The Briton claimed the boos were “incited” by Red Bull.

He said: “It’s not a surprise to me given the things that have been said from the heads of that team that have incited that, right?

“I think over this [summer] break people really need to look within in the things that have been said because it is unacceptable the things that have [been] said and on top of that the things that have escalated.

“We’ve got to continue to stay positive. I’m really proud of my team for staying so focused during this time because it’s been a whirlwind of emotions and things coming at us in all different directions, but we’ve kept our heads down and come here and delivered.”

Hamilton and Verstappen have always been competitive, and their rivalry has quietly simmered over the last few years.

In 2018, Hamilton ended up apologising to his Dutch competitor after calling him a “d***head”.

The two drivers clashed when they came together on track, causing Verstappen to have a puncture.

READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton accused Max Verstappen of illegal tactic

“It is good to show respect and regardless if I am the older driver – in fact, it being more important because I am the older driver – I felt it was important that I went to him. If it was his fault or my fault, it doesn’t really matter as it is now in the past.

“Hopefully that sign of respect shows we can turn the page and move forward in racing each other.”

Hamilton said he would be more cautious about his post-race language in the future but stressed emotions run high in the moments after a grand prix.

He argued drivers showing the intensity of their reactions is a positive.

The Mercedes star added: “It is good in sport to see some emotion.

“If you go to a hockey game, they don’t mind that there are punch-ups. In Nascar races there are punch-ups too but if we had a punch-up here your career would be over.”